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research paper Early response to therapy and survival in multiple myeloma.
- Source :
- British Journal of Haematology; Apr2004, Vol. 125 Issue 2, p162-166, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Whether the response to chemotherapy is a prognosticator in multiple myeloma (MM) is still not known. Therefore, the relationship between survival and the rate of monoclonal protein (M-protein) decrement during the first cycles of therapy was prospectively assessed in 262 patients with newly diagnosed MM that were included in a phase III trial (HOVON-16). M-proteins were collected monthly during melphalan–prednisone therapy (MP: melphalan 0·25 mg/kg, prednisone 1·0 mg/kg orally for 5 d every 4 weeks). Patients with light chain disease ( n = 18), immunoglobulin M (IgM)-MM ( n = 1) and no immunotyping ( n = 1) were excluded. Of the 242 patients studied, 75% had IgG M-protein and 25% IgA; MM stages: I: 1%, II: 35% and III: 64%. The median M-protein decrease after the first cycle of MP was 21% for IgG and 27% for IgA, and declined to < 5% after four cycles. An obvious survival advantage was seen for patients who had an M-protein decrease of at least 30% after the first MP cycle, which became significant when an M-protein decrease of 40% or more was reached. As established prognostic parameters (Salmon & Durie stage, serum creatinine, and haemoglobin) also remained prognostically significant, we concluded that early response to MP predicts for survival in MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00071048
- Volume :
- 125
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Haematology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12720124
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.04884.x